X-56A

The X-56A Multi-utility Aeroelastic Demonstration (MAD) is an innovative modular unmanned air vehicle designed to test active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation. The X-56A demonstrator will test to the edge of the flight envelope where flutter, the potentially catastrophic dynamic coupling that can occur between the elastic motion of the wing and the aerodynamic loads acting on it, occurs.

These technologies are considered vital for the successful development of the slender, lightweight, high-aspect-ratio wings that could be used by future transports as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).